Galway-based civil engineering group Ward & Burke, which derives a significant part of its income from its Canadian and British operations, saw turnover rise

45 per cent last year.

Accounts recently lodged with the Companies’ Registration Office show profits at the group dipped slightly, however, after more than doubling a year earlier. The group recorded full-year profits of €7.79 million for the 12 months ending December 31st 2015. This came after profits had jumped from €3.25 million to €8.1 million a year earlier on the back of growth in its overseas businesses. Group sales rose 45 per cent last year to €150 million from €104 million.

Turnover at its Canadian operation, which was established in 2011 after it sought new markets following the downturn, rose 60 per cent last year from €47.3 million to €76 million. Its UK business grew 35 per cent from €25.4 million to €34.1 million while turnover at the group’s Irish operation was up 30 per cent, from €31.1 million to €40.5 million.

The business ended the year with a strong balance sheet, with shareholders’ equity growing to €29 million at December 31st from €21.3 million a year earlier.

Set up in 2001, the group specialises in sanitary and water services, for which it designs and builds treatment plants, tunnelling and pipelines. It is owned equally by Padraig Burke, Michael Ward and Robert Ward, and has completed contracts totalling more than €850 million since formation.